Supervisory signal system.



mi 352,34@ PATBNTED APR. so, 19o?. A

CHARLES F. PATTERSON, GF NEW YORK, N. Y.

sosssinsom SIGNAL SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Potent.

Patented April 30, 1907.

Application lc June 14, i966. Scritti i'e 321.725-

To rdfmmm f may muccrn:

Bc it known that I, CHARLES F. PATTER- SON, s citizen ci the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York end Stute oi New York, have invented a. certain new end useful Supervisory Signal System; und I (lo hereby declare the iiollowinsjT to be e full, clear, und exact description of tlie same, suoli as will enable others skilled in the srt to which it cppsrtoins to nicks und use tile Sftllie.

My invention relates to on electric. superi visor);F signaling and indicating system'designed to indicate und register the Inove-V inents to ond from their respective lioine sts..- tions, ci ouch end all of s plurality of objects rcinmfeole lroin such home stations, suoli esl vehicles, horses, etc., und the approximate time ci srrivsl and departure thereof.'

Mp' system comprises transmitting devices, one for euch `:follicle or other remorsbis obs ject to be supervised, with outoz'niiticssns for ccusing the operation of each suolitrous-Y initting device when its corresponding re mot-obte object iesves its home ststion and cgciu when suoli object returns to its heine station; stud my system further comprises suitable indicating und recording devices, which muy be, und customarily will be, located et e control station distinct from the home station ci suoli removable objects, und suitable circuits connecting the transmitting devices with suoli central station indicating und recording apparatus.

A large number oi transmitting devices muy be connected by the sonic circuits to theV sonic con trol station recording und indicating apparatus.

My invention is particularly suitable :for use in connection with stables, automobile gorcves. und the like, where c largo number of' vciiclcs, horses, etc., bclonv'iug to :liilerent owners, orc kept, and onuiles the owner of any such vehicle, horse, or other removable object to have automatically recorded the movements ci the some from such home station, quite independent ci the stcblo or giunge records :incl b apparatus not under perticuier home station, cud when und at Wirst time it is returned thereto 5 to make the apparatus simple, durable, reliable, und ecs il?,7 operated; to permit the use of c single indicating und recording set, und common circuits, for s lorgc number of transmitting devices of thc sys tem; to Jrevent felse manipu-v lotion or operation of tile transmitting apps.- rstus of the system; und to provide for the sutcinntic periodic testing of the circuits and op nsrritus of the system.

riti now lproceed to descrito my inventicn'vitli reference to the accompanying drcwings, illustrating one arrangement of the Ycircuits und apparet-.is lor carrying out my invention, und will their point out the novel cstnres in claims.

in the scid drawings.' Figure 1 shows diagrsnnnoticslly the transmitting instruments, circuits und central station apparatus ol a system embodying my invention. Fig. 2 snows u. side View, with the cover of the inclosing cose removed, of one of the transmitting instruments oi' my system. Fig. 3 shows a. transverse section looking downward, ci sncii transmitting instrument, the section being token just below the operating nmgnets oi the apparatus. Figs 4-9 inu elusive, cre 'rieten views oi the automatic separable circuit controlling device ci"V my system, comprising two relatively individualized co-octinff members, by the Sepers.s tion or uniting or Wliicli the operation oi' the showing o. ozwitudinol section o1" the 'ping enti socket fui y connected; Fin'. 5 showing s iiiiiisr Vie W with the plug in its first position; Fig. (i showing n. transverse section corresponding to Fig. 4; Fig. 'i' showing a. longitudinal section of thc socket; Fig. 8 on eiul'vicw thereof, ond Fig. 9 c trensrersc scction corresponding to Fig. 5.

Referring to the scid drawings sind etiirst to Fig. l thereof, l designates s central sts.- tion st Winch the recording and indicating transmitting opporctus, 5 und (i designate insin line circult conductors connecting the tic control ci the stub e or garage employees.

The objects of my invention are to super'-Y vise tl'ic movements to and from their resiicc tive home stations, of vehicles, horses curl' other removable objects: to indicsts cutonicticclly when, sind :it Wimt time, each such ceirtrelV station appare-tus with scifi trans- 'ittinfr apparatus, and 7, 8 and 9 designate seporulilo circuit controlling devices, such as "shown in Figs. 4-9 inclusive, for transmitting; instruments 2, 3 uml 4 respectively.

Esch transmitting instrument ci my s fs vsliicis or removable object departs fremito Vtern comprises two independent transmitting tronsznittins' apparatus is caused. Fig. 4

ZOO

devices cre located, 2, 3 cud 4 clesigncto devices which may with advantage be of the general type employed in district messenger service, iire alarm service, and the like, comprising a toothed transmitting Wheel and corresponding contact brush or pen, said Wheel toothed to transmit telegraphically a number or other code-character, characteristic of: that particular transmitting instrument. Customarily, though notnecessarily, both of the transmitting devices of each such transmitting instrument are arranged to send the same number or code designation, but to send the same over separate circuits. One of the transmitting devices of each such transmitting instrument is for transmitting periodically the signal oi its particular box or transmitter through the line circuit 6 of the system 3 and these periodic signal transmitting devices are controlled by means, such as a time clock, which causes them to send in their respective signals in succession, at regular intervals. As hereinafter explained, if for any reason the vehicle or other removable object supervised by one of the boxes is away from its home station, the periodic transmitting device or" such box is cut out so long as said removable object is away from its home station. The other said transmitting device of each transmitting instrument or box of the system is arranged to transmit over circuit 5, (which circuit may be termed the alarm circuit to distinguish it from circuit 6 which may be termed the time circuit, the number or code designation of that box, at the time of departure of the vehicle or other object supervised from its home station, and again at the time of return of such device to such home station; and customarily I so arrange the transmitting device that thelatter alarm is accompanied by a further distinctive signal to indicate that it is a return signal and not a departure signal. In this way the central station attendant is apprised whenever any articular vehicle or like object superviser departs from its home station, and when it returns thereto 5 and, roper record being made oi such arrival and c eparture si nals, the two records of the system perfect y check each other; likewise, the perlodic operation of the apparatus of the time circuit shows clearly that the apparatus and circuits of the system are in operative condition.

Taking up now the detail description of the a paratus, and iii-st of all the construction o the transmitting apparatus of box 2 for exam le (the mechanism of the other boxes may se the same), 10 designates the transmitting Wheel for the alarm circuit, 11 the Aen or contact brush therefor, 12 a controlling magnet for said wheel and 13 the armature lever for such magnet, controlling an escapement mechanism mole fully shown in Figs. 2 and B. To differentiate the departure and arrival signals from this transmitting device, I have shown this wheel provlded with tWo series ci notches, each comprising the number of the box, but the second including as well, a dash notch 14. The escapement mechanism is arranged to cause half a revolution of wheel 10 upon the departure oi the vehicle supervised, and to cause a further half rotation of the Wheel upon the return oi such vehicle, the pen 11 encountering the dash notch 14 only near the conclusion of the second half revolution.

For present purposes the separable controlling devices 7, 8 and Q etc., of the several boxes may be assumed to he devices which, when the vehicle supervised is at its home Station, closes a local controlling circuit 15 8( 16, passing through the magnet 12,' current being supplied to this circuit by any convenient means, asl for example, a battery 17 and current lead 18, which may be common to all the transmitting devices or any convenient number thereof. When this controlling circuit 15-16 is broken upon the departure of the vehicle supervised by box 2 and the consequent operation of the controlling device 7, magnet 12 is denergized, the escapement mechanism of wheel 10 is operated and said wheel permitted to revolve one half revolution. Upon the closing of said circuit 15-16, at device 7, magnet 12 is energized, the escapement mechanism of the Wheel 10 is again operated and said wheel is permitted to revolve back to its starting point, in so doing sending the number of the box together Witi a dash. The line circuit 5 passes from brush 11 through Wheel 10 and conductor 19 to the brush 11 of the next box, and so on, the alarm signal transmitting devices of the several boxes being therefore connected in series in a normally closed circuit.

The time circuit signaling device of the several boxes, comprise each atoothed contact Wheel 20 with en or Contact brush 21, and are each contro led by a magnet 22 and an armature lever 23 operating release mechanism. A time clock 24 controls the magnets 22 of a series of boxes and periodically energizes the magnets 22 of such series in surr cession. I do not limit myself to any particular type of time clock contact device, but may use any such device suitable for the purpose. In the drawin I have indicated said time clock as provi( ed on its dial with a circular series of contact points over which the minute hand of the clock, acting as a brush or Wipen sweeps successively. di ate from the various contact points on the dial to the several magnets 22. As the minute hand rotates therefore, the several niagnets 22 are ener 'zed successively, each for an instant only, ut for long enough to release the corresponding contact Wheel and permit rotation of the same to begin; said Wheel continuing to rotate until its revolution is completed, when it is arrested automatically by the detent arm 23. If the ob- Circuits rakoo ject supervised by any ono of those transmitting boxes is st iis homo sisiion when the time circ-uit wheel 2() of that lio); is caused o rotate :is described, the, signal nl that boxV will las h'snsinitted through oironit and reoordod at 110 contini station. But if the object supervised by suoli box is notI ot its homo ststion when tno oontaot wheel 20 ol that box rotoios :is dosoriizofl, the rotation of said Wheel will its inslleotivf owing to tho inert that, magnet 12 boing denorgizrd, orln 13 llas dosed s sliuni sir-init contini 24 by wliioli the Wlmol 2D nnd pon 21 0i that box .srs slionigofi with ros Jost to the lino (niroiiit,

so tlin, no interruption of lino circuit is unused by their opsroiion. So long as tiro oitvjsst snpori'issfl is anni." from iis homo sis.- iion lilisrooro, tlio periodic signals will noliA lio roooivsd from tho oorrosponding transmitting devise.

At tbe central siniion oooh oi sironis 5 ond 6 has its own register 25 sind boli or o'ilisr audible signaling' Clovis@ 25.

ln Figs. 2 und 3 l lnivo shown ills nisoiisnism of one of rho irnnsiniing boxes, firs somo nmnoizils boing' oniployod as in Fig. l.. For rooting ibo iooiiiod oonolot Wloos I have shown nmorally-wound spring; moi-,ors 27, driving the. @onto-st wlissis iinongli cus tonisry goor-brains 2S, the spoed ofro'niion being con rollod by fons 39. Tilo armature loi-sis 1I and 21 may coni-rol the rotation of tho oonlnot nliools by moans of any suitable dotant or esmipomsn; device. ln the construoiion shown, lires@ dotant-or osospsmsni. derives nrs Very siinplo, consisting merely of pins 30 on lilo nimmst wheels, arranged lo be engaged by Atho ends oi tho armatore levors i3 sind 23 respectively. Sinon wheel l0 is to roioie onlir iniii" s revolution ossii time it operarios, (onoo 'lien magnet l@ is (ionergizsd, sind again when ningnoi; l0 is reinergixeih) said wheel is provided with two pins 30, placed :it difformirsdinl distances, so t-lioi; when said magnet; is flsnorgized and its armature lever, flying out, releases ons pin 3U, il; is in position to engage the other pin 3Q when the imli revoluion of the Contact wheel is complots and similarly, when the magnet l() is again onor-gland und iis lover 13 rslsasrs limb pin 3U, il'. moves into position to engage the oilisr pin 30. lb is intended limi tlis minuto hond of he time flock 34 (F'ng. l) or other oon'raot. devirfo willl wllioli sniil clock may bs pi'oviilod, will be in coni-ooi; willi contact point of tho serios for loss time ilio it tnlss tlm fouiner. wheels 20 ol ills sorrosponding lrnnsiniitor boxes to rotate, so n oooh arnmture loven.' 23, fi'or releasing the pin 3U of its Contact; Whoo] 2Q, wiil bs book again to engage sind arras?, 111e pin 30 upon ilio completion o'l" t-lie rota-tion oi suoli oontnoi Wheel.

I do not confine myself to any particular contact device for the loool ooniiroiiing oircuits Lw-16 of the transmitter boxes, but, moy employ that shown in Figs. 4-9 inclusive, Whioil forms the Subj ool'finntiser of :i separate application for Lebisors Potent.. ll,` is dosirnblo that tho Contact device oinployod simil ooniprise two sopmnbls counting moinbsrs, ono adopted for connection to the veiliole or other movable object to bo snporvisod, the other for connection to Elio conductors ol circuits 15S-i6, the two inonibors rolntivoly individualized so that @zich maybe used only with the other. This is oxooodingly iinportout, in order that. the transmitter for oni-iii voiiiole 1n ny be operated only wiion limi pori'ionlin vehicle is taken ou?, or roinrnod, :nid in order that it may be impossibio Lo falsely iziaiiooto :it the control sisi'fion tho rolnrn oil n voiiiolo, by tho application of :i ihnmny menibor to t-lio oirouiterniinsl :member of elio oorrosponding contant: devise. 'ills ooniisoi; dsviro shown in Figs. #19 loliils o ioso requiseiiionts, being provided with Luinblor insoli- :inism much like limi; of so-snilod Yolo looks', serving to indifilnsliso the members of ono Contact dovioo from tiioss ol nny (lssirod number oi' sinlilnr oontool'. devices.

In Figs. 4 9 inoinsivo ,3l dosig'nsi-ss igiie plug incmbor oi' t-lio device, forming (51o tor- Ininsl inoinbor for conductors l5 ond 16 ol Fig. l, :incl 32 dosignalsss the sozfkoi lor rooeiv'ing said plug. Said plug compi-isos :in onsr siioll 33, preferably of strong; moisi, on intermediaria member 34, 'lili-ing within ssii! shell, and oninnor member 35, rotatable somewhat with respect to members 33 and 34, sind carrying within it n of plugslmpod tninblors, 3B, of varying sogno, adapted to consi; with similar tuinblors S7, mounted in cells in monibor 34, und spring; ootuniod, its shown. lli-embers 33 and 34 inoloso between thorn n. olinnibor 3S, Vooninining; torn'iins slips 39 ond 40 for oondnfivors l5 and 16 respectively, sind said members 33 und 34 oro sopa-rubio for convenience in wiring tho plug, said mcmbors boing rigidly oonnoctod, once the wires have boon connootcd, by suitable means, ns for example by screws 4l having their liends scaled over.

The tumbler-barrel 35, lios sooinod lo it s goto, 42, normally closing i-iie ond oi insintei 34 :md provsnting ncocss to the oil-snit torrninnis 39 sind 40; but ibis goto hss in it :in oponing 43, which muy bo brought inizo rogistlji with ollnmlior 38 by inserting into the slot 4 oi' the iuinblor lmrrol B5 n suitable lo? which will lino im all of libs tnnilors 3G onli 37' with their sidjnoonig fonos ins nt Lilo dividing lino oifwocn members 34 sind 35. Tho soolotmoinbor 32 comprises suoli key, 46, soourod to ibo rocosssd lin-so 47 o tho socket member and protected bv the l-uznzir shell 4S into which the plug 3i lits, 'llio operation o'ithis conto-ot doi-'ice is :is follows: Supposing ping 3l ond socket 32 to be sopa ro ted, to oonnooi iiem tho plug isintroclnosd into the socket, the key 46 fitting Within the slot 44. The socket is pressed in straight as far as it will go-i. e., until the key is fully home. lf the socket and lug correspond, the tumblers of the plug wil now all be lined up as shown in Fig. 5, with their adjacent faces just at the p arting between the tumbler barrel 35 and member 34. The plug may now be rotated a few degrees, the tumbler barrel 35 being held stationary by key 46, which has the ellect of .moving the orifice 43 in gate 112 into line with chainler 38. After which the lug may be pressed in still iarther; tumb er-Iiarrel 35 retreating back into member 34 g and this iinal movement of the plug 31 brings contact iingers 49 and 50 into contact with terminal clips 39 and 40. These tinvers 4.9 and 50 being in electrical connec- D tion, as shovm in Fig. 8, Wires 15 and 16 are now in connection, and circuit 1,5-16 is closed.

To disengage the plug 31 from socket 32, the operations above described are reversed whereupon the tumbler-barrel 35 is pressed out by its spring l5, the gate 42 closes contact chaml; er 38, the tuniblers 37 come o posite the corresponding tuinblers 36; an as the plug is Withdrawn completely, said tumblers 37, being pressed outward, enter to a greater or less extent the barrel 35, preventin rotation thereof.

t will be seen that when the plug is removed from its socket, the circuit terminals are entirely sealed against access; nor can the contact chamber be opened except by means of a key correspondinv to the key of the particular socket to Whic i the plug corres onds.

s is Well known, the permutations possible by varying the length of the tuinblers of a locking mechanism such as shown are almost Without limit; likewise such mechanisms may be installed in groups and sub-groups, adjusted to have a master-key for the entire group and individual master-keys for the dit ferent sub-groups, the saine as is now done with locks. This greatly facilitates the work of inspectors. each of whom may have a master key for the articular group or sub-group in his charge. 1rl`lie ke s 46 are so inclosed by the shells 48 ofthe soc iet-menil: ers, that it is dil-heult to obtain access to said keys to take impressions therefrom, and an attempt to take such an impression is almost sure to be detected.

In the case of vehicles, it is contemplated that the socket members 32 shall be permanently secured to some convenient portion of the vehicle, it being necessary, therefore to detach the plug 31 from its socket 32, zeiore the vehicle can be taken away from its home station. 53, in Fig. 1, designates a vehicle having a socket so attached. The plug may be connected to its transmittin box b flexible conductors l5 and 16 of suc lengt as to ssasaaE permit the vehicle to be moved somewhat, as for cleaning and inspection, without disconnecting the plug from its socket.

In the case of horses or other animals, the

socket 32 may he secured permanently to a halter or collar or harness locked on the animal.

The shells 4S of the sockets 32 are provided with bayonet-grooves 51 adapted to receive projections 52 on the plugs 31, whereby the correct rotation of the p ug in its socket is insured.

The operation of the system is as follows: supposingthe object supervised to be at its home station, the clock 24 causes the tiniecircuit wheel 2O of the corresponding box to rotate', periodically, sending in its characteristic signal in so doing. The time-signal mechanisms of the several boxes are operated successively, so that there can be no clash between the signals of different boxes. If the object supervised is removed, the controlling circuit 15-16 of the corresponding transmitting box is interrupted, the magnet 12 of that box denei'gized, and the Wheel 10 caused to rotate a half revolution, sending in the niunber of .that box over the alarm circuit; and the time-circuit is shunted through that particular box, so that the number of that box cannot be sent in over the time cir'- cuit so long as the object supervised is absent. Upon the return of such object circuit 15`16 is closed, magnet 12 again energized, wheel 10 completes its rotation, sending in the number of the box with the additional dash character to denote that it is a return signal, and the shunt-connecti on of the time circuit through that box is broken, so that thereafter the time signals are sent in periodically until said object supervised is again removed.

What I claim is 1. The combination With a supervisory signal system comprising receiving means, circuits, and a plurality of transmitters co1nprising transmitting mechanism, a periodic controller therefor, and other independent controlling means, cl a lurality of objects to besupervised, removable with respect to said transmitters and provided with means whereby said independent controlling device ol each transmitter is operated when the corres ending object to be supervised is remove and again when the same is returned.

2. The combination with a supervisory signal system com rising receivingr means,

circuits, and a plura ity of transmitters corn-' prisingl transmitting mechanism, a periodic controller therefor, and other independent controlling means, of a pluralityA of objects to be supervised, removable wit respect to said transmitters and provided with means whereby said independent controlling device of each transmitter is operated when the corresponding .object to be supervised is reinitting device, s main contro moved and again when the sance is returned, said transmitting rnc-ans cach coinprising ineens inventing transmission of the periodic signos during the absence of the corresponding object to be supervised.

3. In a supervisory signaling system, the combination of transmitters, one for each ob ject supervised comprising sierra-circuit Vand time circuit transmitting devices, moans operated Vby one of said transmit-ting deices for cutting out the other suoli `transmitting device, and controlling means comprising separable members, one connected to said transmitting means and the other adapted for connection to an object to he supervised.

e. In a supoi'risor;Y signaiiig system, the combination of a series or transmit-tint,lr means each comprising alarnncircuit and time-circuit transmitting devices, a timecontroiled operating device for a group of' such time-circuit transmitting devices o eratively connected thereto and arrange to cause the same to operato in rotation, controliing means for said alar1n-circuit transmitting devices arranged to operate the latter upon the departure of the object to be supervised and again upon the return of the latter, and means for cutting out thetime signals of each transmitter during the absence of the corresponding object to he supcrvised.

5. In a supervisory signaiing system, the combination of a plurality of transmitters, one for cach object supervised, comprising aiarm-circait and time-circuit transmitting devices, each comprising a controlling niagnet, an armature operated thereby, and means controlled htv said armature controlling the operation oi' the oorreslponding transer for causing said time-circuit magnets to operate eriod ically in rotation, controlling means vor the Marin-circuit transmitting device of each such transmitter and electrical Contact means operated by the armature of each alarm-circuit transmitting device and are ranged to cut out the corresponding tiniecircuit transmitting device in one position of the armature of said alarm-circuit device.

6. in a supervisory signaling system, the combination with two line circuits, and signal receiving means connected thereto, of a plnraiitjiT of transmitters, one for each object supervised, each sach transmitter com rising means for transmitting signets periodreally through one ol said circuits and means for transmitting signals through the other ci said circuits when specially operated to that and, and controlli U means for each such transmitter arrange to be operated automatically upon departure and return of the chiesi; supervised.

7. in a supcwisorT signaling system, the combination with two line circuits, and signal receiving means connected thereto, ol a plnraiity of transmitters, one for cach object supervised, cach such transmitter compri sing means for transmitting signals periodically through one cl" said circuits and ineens for transmitting signals through the other of seid circuits when speciaiiy operated to that ond, and controlling means for cach such transmitter arranged to hc operated automatically upon departure and return oll the object supervised, said transmitters cach comprising means for cutting ont thc periodic signals during absence of the object snpervised.

S. In a supervisory signaling system, the combination with two line circuits, and sig nel receiving means connected therito, oi a plurality oi transmitters, one for each object supervised, cach such transmitter comprising moans for transmitting signals perioiiicaliy through one of said circuits and moans 'for transmitting slgnais through the other oi said circuits when specially operated to that end, controlling means for each sach transmitter arranged to he operated automaticaily upon departure and return of tho object suporviscd, and a periodic. controller controlling the transmission of periodic signals hy said transmitters and arranged to cause the same to be transmitted by the several transmitters successively.

, 9. in a supervisory signaling system, the combination with two line circuits, and signai receiving means connected thereto, of a plnrsiity of transmitters, one for each ohjcct supervised, each snch transmitter comprisingr means 'for transmitting signals periodicallyl through one of saidcirouits and means for transmitting signals through the other of said circuits when specially operated to that end, eontroiing means for each sncii transmitter arranged to he operated antoinatically upon departure and return oi the object supervised, a periodic controiicr controlling the transmission of periodic signals by said transmitters and arranged to cause the saine to be transmitted by the severai transmitters successi velv, and means for shouting the periodic transmitting devices ci cach transmitter durin(3i absence of tire object supervised.

zin testimony 1s'tfiiereot I ailix in v signature, in the presence of two witnesses:

CHARLES F. PATTERSON,

Witnesses:

C. W. CONKLIN, H. M. MARBLE. 

